Falana hails Fed Govt over plan to reopen Halliburton case

He urged the government to extent such plan to similar cases involving other multinational companies.

Halliburton is one of the world’s largest oil field services companies with operations in more than 70 countries.

Falana, in a statement yesterday, urged the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to ensure that a new team of patriotic prosecutors is constituted to prosecute the suspects in the scandal.

He noted that the manner the cases were treated by past administrations caused Nigeria an international embarrassment.

The eminent lawyer said while multinational companies involved in criminal activities were left off the hook under questionable circumstances, the same companies were punished in other climes, particularly their home countries.

He cited the case of Wilbros International, which was made to pay about $32.32million fine in the United States for similar offence it committed in Nigeria.

The frontline lawyer said the company was neither prosecuted nor subjected to any punitive measures in Nigeria.

He alleged that they were penalised in either the United States or Germany for similar offences they were allowed to get away with in Nigeria.

Falana said: “No doubt, the decision of the Goopdluck Jonathan administration to re-open the case is in the national interest. But the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) must ensure, this time round, that a new team of patriotic prosecutors is constituted to handle the prosecution of the suspects involved in the Halliburton scandal.

“The cases of Siemens, Willbros and similar scandals, which have questioned the commitment of the Federal Government to fight corruption, should be re-opened without any further delay.

“From the reports of several investigation panels, the Halliburton scandal indicted that three former Heads of State, a former Inspector-General of Police, former ministers and permanent secretaries. Although some of the suspects indicted in the inquiry made confessional statements, they were not charged to court.

“Some of the privies of the principal suspects, who were eventually arraigned in court were let off the hook for want of diligent prosecution…”